Academic Journal
A Sub-Analysis of U.S. Africa Command Area of Operations Transportations for Ophthalmic Concerns, 2008–2018
| العنوان: | A Sub-Analysis of U.S. Africa Command Area of Operations Transportations for Ophthalmic Concerns, 2008–2018 |
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| المؤلفون: | Altman, Adam H H, Carius, Brandon M, Justin, Grant A, Schauer, Steven G, Escandon, Mireya A, Maddry, Joseph K, Mazzoli, Robert A, Legault, Gary L |
| المصدر: | Military Medicine ; volume 187, issue 9-10, page e1148-e1152 ; ISSN 0026-4075 1930-613X |
| بيانات النشر: | Oxford University Press (OUP) |
| سنة النشر: | 2021 |
| الوصف: | Introduction American military personnel in U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) operate in a continent triple the size of the USA without mature medical facilities, requiring a substantial transportation network for medical evacuation. We describe medical transportation based on ophthalmic complaints analyzed from the U.S. Transportation Command Regulating and Command and Control Evacuation System (TRAC2ES) database from 2008 to 2018. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all TRAC2ES records for medical evacuations for ophthalmic complaints from the AFRICOM theater of operations conducted between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018. We analyzed free-text data in TRAC2ES for ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic interventions performed before established patient movement requests. An expert panel analyzed evacuations for their indications and interventions. Results Nine hundred and sixty-one total records originating within AFRICOM were identified in TRAC2ES. Forty-three cases (4%) had ophthalmic complaints. The majority of transports were routine (72%) and originated in Djibouti (83%), and all were transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The majority of patients were evacuated without a definitive diagnosis (60%). Leading ophthalmic diagnoses were chalazion (14%), corneal abrasion/ulcer (14%), and posterior vitreous detachment (12%). More than one-quarter of patients were transported without recorded evaluation and approximately half (51%) did not receive any intervention before evacuation. Consultation with an ophthalmologist occurred in only 16 (37%) cases. By majority, the expert panel deemed 12 evacuations (28%) potentially unnecessary. Conclusion Evacuations were primarily routine often for disease etiology and further diagnostic evaluation. These findings support opportunities for telemedicine consultation to avoid potentially unnecessary transportation. Increased ophthalmic care and enhanced data collection on transports would support process improvement, optimize ophthalmic care ... |
| نوع الوثيقة: | article in journal/newspaper |
| اللغة: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1093/milmed/usab134 |
| الاتاحة: | https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab134 https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article-pdf/187/9-10/e1148/45554895/usab134.pdf |
| رقم الانضمام: | edsbas.A0A23B90 |
| قاعدة البيانات: | BASE |
| DOI: | 10.1093/milmed/usab134 |
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